Playing Games #

Getting better when playing games is the reason why Go players want to improve. Whether it’s simply for the beauty of the game, competitiveness, or a personal challenge, the ultimate goal is to play better. And quite logically, playing games is systematically placed as the number one task for improvement. So play as many games as possible… but not just any which way!

Quality First #

For optimal learning, play a maximum number of games with relatively long time settings: at least 20 minutes + 3x30 seconds of byo-yomi (or their equivalent in Canadian or Fischer time). This will allow you to take more time to think about your moves and play higher-quality games, in which you invest more of yourself. Your moves will have more meaning, which will make a post-game analysis more enriching than that of a fast game.

Moreover, the vast majority of Go tournaments have slow time settings, so this will be good training for them. If you only train with fast games, you will tend to play too quickly in tournaments, thus giving an advantage to your opponent. Nevertheless, if it’s something you enjoy, you shouldn’t deprive yourself of playing fast games as a supplement.

Besides, playing fast games can also have advantages, helping you with quick decision-making and good clock management under pressure. If you only play slow games, and you panic when you reach byo-yomi and your quality of play decreases at that moment, practicing playing many fast games for a certain period can be very beneficial.

Adding occasional tournament or league games to your usual slow games is an excellent thing. Since these are generally games that impact your ranking, players give their all, resulting in the highest quality games. They are often ideal for an interesting review with your teacher. Tournaments are discussed a little later in this guide.

Examples of clock settings by type of game.

Another point: never cheat. Whether during your practice games, in tournaments, in person, or online. A victory by cheating is not a real victory, it doesn’t help you improve, and when it becomes known, the cheater’s reputation is tarnished forever. It’s really not worth it.

Choosing your Games and Opponents #

Your opponents are just as important: to improve, be careful not to play mostly against players weaker than you. You risk seeing your level lower over time. Ideally, you should almost only play against opponents of your level or stronger. Of course, Go is also a game of knowledge transmission, and it’s not one game where you give handicap stones from time to time that will make you regress, as long as you also play against opponents of your level.

Also, be careful not to systematically play against the same opponents. This is something often seen among club players who face each other and don’t play online. Confronting a wide variety of players is crucial for progress.

Experimenting with other Play Styles #

You have surely heard about playing styles. Go players can be more or less analytical, aggressive, or, for example, territorial. Some like moyos, others very complex situations. Some avoid fights and negotiate, while others cut first, then think. Each player is unique, even if we find broad themes.

Perhaps you know your playing style? Or perhaps you think you know your style, but the reality is different. Indeed, this is often a point where we are mistaken. A good way to know your playing style is simply to ask your teacher.

Whatever the case, it can be extremely beneficial to try to completely change your style during training. Do you like territory? Try playing only for influence! Do you like fighting? Systematically choose the peaceful option! The goal is to learn to adapt to all situations. Sometimes the right move can be found with an aggressive approach, other times negotiation will be the key. By learning to juggle between styles and not getting stuck on the same approach, you will become more flexible. Furthermore, this experimentation will allow you to better adapt to the different styles you encounter. It is possible that some playing styles are more difficult to face than others, but by playing them yourself, you will appropriate them and know better how to counter them.

Trying to vary styles in this way can be an excellent method to overcome a plateau.

This applies to practice games; in tournaments, it’s better to play naturally.

Staying Focused #

Try to eliminate distractions as much as possible while you play:

• Try to avoid music, but if you want to put some on, make sure the volume is moderate and there are no lyrics,
• Avoid eating or snacking during games,
• Go players often have a drink handy (tea, water, coffee) but avoid alcohol,
• Don’t look at your phone during the game,
• If you are in front of a computer, avoid opening other applications.

The ideal is to reach a state of flow, where you are completely absorbed by your game.

Playing Against AI #

It is now easy to play against a professional-level artificial intelligence; many Go servers offer it for free. This can be a good way to play a game without the pressure of playing against a human.

Playing against an AI allows you to train only the opening: just stop when the middle game begins, and use the score estimator to see how you did. The AI can also point out your main mistakes. In the same vein, it is possible to start a game from a given position for targeted training.

Nevertheless, AI can play effective moves whose deep logic is difficult to grasp, and it doesn’t have the full variety of styles and experiences of humans. To get better against humans, it’s better to play mostly against humans.

Key Takeaways

• Prefer playing a majority of slow games
• Try to play tournament games regularly
• Play against opponents of your level or stronger
• Don’t hesitate to experiment during training
• Be engaged when you play